Defense, rebounding keys for Boilermakers

Tuesday

Nov 20, 2012 at 7:52 PMNov 20, 2012 at 7:55 PM

Senior guards Ince, Gustafson lead Kewanee

Mike Landis

Scoring points shouldn't be a problem for the 2012-13 Kewanee boys basketball team — witness the 75 points the Boilers dropped on Sherrard in Monday night's season-opening win at the Orion Tip-Off Classic.Just how successful the Boilers can be under second-year head coach Steve Salisbury depends on their defensive effort."I think our key is going to be how well we play defense," said Salisbury. "Last year we gave up way too many layups and rebound buckets. We have to make teams earn their points instead of just giving them to them."Salisbury will lean on a pair of senior guards — Dayton Ince and Matt Gustafson — to guide the Boilers. The duo combined for 45 points and six 3-pointers in Monday night's win."We will build around Dayton. He was first team all-conference and our senior captain, along with Matt Gustafson, and they've been doing a good job as leaders," said Salisbury.Joining Ince and Gustafson in the starting lineup are junior point guard David Washburn, freshman forward Donovan Oliver and junior post Jared Nimrick.Salisbury believes the 6-4 freshman Oliver can make an immediate impact for the Boilers."He works hard in practice and has a positive attitude," said Salisbury. "We're throwing a lot at him because he's involved in about everything we're trying to do because he's so athletic. He's catching on and he's one of the most talented kids at the freshman level that I've seen. We're going to get better as he gets better."Adding depth for the Boilers are junior guard Ryan Hicks and junior forward Dalton Nuding. Both players competed on the varsity level as sophomores and are bouncing back from injuries suffered during the football season.Junior forward Trayvond Taylor, junior guard John Moraski and senior post Brandon Nanninga also are in the mix for playing time. "I feel we can play 10 kids no problem, and we need to with the style we're trying to play," said Salisbury.Rounding out the squad are seniors Nick Hill, Ray Kuster and Alfonso Duff; and juniors Dawson Nuding, Denzell Taylor and Nick Cravens.Salisbury is assisted by Andy Saey on the varsity level. Shaune Lewis and Matt Costenson are the sophomore coaches, while Patrick Smith and Matt Costenson handle the freshman duties."I think we're really athletic," said Salisbury. "I'm hoping our athleticism will cover up our size on the boards, because we are really small.""It's going to come down to how well we play defense and rebound," added Salisbury. "I've been stressing that every practice and trying to get the kids to buy in. We have to get stops and take care of the basketball."